Troubled Teens Resources

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is described as having the following “symptoms”:

• Often loses temper
• Often argues with adults
• Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules
• Often deliberately annoys people
• Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviors
• Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
• Is often angry and resentful
• Is often spiteful or vindictive

This type of behavior used to be referred to as bratty and children who demonstrated such antics were justifiably disciplined as brats. Today, to the amusement of many, this is called ODD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

We will shy away from discussing the merits, or lack thereof, in slapping another label on a kid. A label that will no doubt ring the cash registers for psychiatrists and pharmaceuticals.
Focusing instead on the behavior described, what has been the usual method of dealing with it?  Discipline. Anger management. Critical thinking skills. All behavioral remedies that instill life long habits that any functioning adult requires to be a productive and contributing participant in life.

Cognitive self-change is an example of an effective behavioral program, a “discipline [that] is remarkably distinct in that it teaches how to dramatically alter one’s belief that he is the victim of his own feelings and circumstances. In this discipline, excuses are not accepted.”

Now doesn’t that sound a bit more constructive than another prescription? Parents who are truly alarmed at the behavior being demonstrated by their teen can find programs such as cognitive self change in accredited troubled teen boarding schools, military schools and in short term youth camps.